Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Rameez Raja has come to India with a clear message: "India and Pakistan should play."

Echoing the oft-repeated statement of not mixing politics with sports, the former Pakistan skipper, who arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for the International Cricket Council's Cricket Committee - Management meeting, welcomed the Indian team to Pakistan with open arms.

"People are looking forward to the ultimate series in cricket. Why should people be deprived of a contest between Sachin Tendulkar and Shoaib Akhtar?" he asked.

He complimented the Indian team, saying: "The Indians are looking good. Finally, I can say they have a chance of beating us. But who knows, it's a different ball game when India plays Pakistan."

He, of course, chose to ignore the World Cup humiliation against India.

Raja explained the reason for Pakistan's inconsistent performance:

"When you have individual talent then you cannot have a consistent team. Game plans are for those teams that are not talented and which follow routine. But when you have talented individuals who feels they can deliver and fail, inconsistency sets in.

"We want Pakistan cricketers to be role models."

He said the players should not be judged by their performances in the Bangladesh series, adding they would be in a better frame of mind for the South African series.

He welcomed Inzamam-ul Haq's return to form.

"The 'Mountain of Multan' is back in form. He told me that his innings against Bangladesh in the Test which he saved with a hundred was the best ever he played. With tailenders who weren't doing too well, he got 90 out of 120."

Saying bowling is Pakistan's strength, he added the batting is a problem though "with Inzy, Yousuf Youhana and one of the top three newcomers coming good the balance would be achieved".

"With Mohammad Sami and Shoiab Akhtar the bowling department is rosy," he said.

He picked Yasir Hameed as the player to watch out for in future, saying his good temperament could see him trail a long and successful career.

"To get a hundred in each innings on Test debut shows he has temperament and guts. Salman Butt, only 18, scored 200 against the South African Academy and is promising. But the bowling is more organised than batting."

On the Rashid Latif issue, Raja was skeptical and admitted it was a setback for everyone.

"He is an honest leader and player. He stood out in the match-fixing issue. We are convinced that it was not his mistake; it was a spur of the moment thing. We haven't decided on him yet; maybe, in the next 2-3 days."

Raja anointed Younis Khan as the next captain of Pakistan but added there is an earnest effort to find a young player who could lead the team.

He predicted that Mohammad Sami would be the most consistent and fastest bowler in world cricket.

"During county cricket, England skipper Nasser Hussain said he was the fastest he ever played against," he added.

Dismissing fears of playing in Pakistan, Raja said it is a matter of perception.

"The fear of the unknown can be misleading. I don't blame the South Africans. They have to be assured of what is happening ten thousand miles away from home. We have got used to it. Pakistan is safe. I stay there. It is safe as a house."

He also clarified that Waqar Younis still has a chance of representing Pakistan.

"He [Waqar] wants to play for Pakistan. Moin Khan is captain for the Super Sixes tournament in Singapore."